Motion by Robert, seconded by
Zimmer-Janeczko to receive the minutes of the Meeting of December 7, 2004 as mailed.Motion carried.

Call to Audience

Chairperson Peck issued a call to the audience for items not
on the meeting agenda but pertinent to Commission business.There was no response.

Request from Lady Explorers

The Lady Explorers Softball Club, a group of teams in
various age groups of girls and women’s softball, has requested permission to
charge for fundraising event in EmersonPark in July of 2005.The event will be an exhibition with the
Harlem Diamonds, a traveling softball show team.

Ireland
read a letter submitted by Mike Kozuch, coach for the
Lady Explorers, detailing the request.Ireland
pointed out that there was precedent for such events with the Midland
Redcoats.He further clarified that
Redcoat events were to benefit the entire softball program with purchases of
bleachers and the like while this event will benefit a specific segment of the
game.He suggested that it would be
appropriate to require the organizers to reimburse direct City expenses.

Lengerman asked what the admission cost would be.

Rothhaar asked how often this type of event has been done in
the past.Ireland
responded that a similar basketball team event had been held at least twice in
the community in the past.

Motion by Robert, seconded by
Zimmer-Janeczko to recommend to City Council that the Lady Explorers be allowed
to charge for an exhibition softball event in EmersonPark on a
July date to be coordinated with staff and further that the Lady Explorers
reimburse the City for direct expenses associated with the event.Motion carried by a vote of 7-0.

TreeCity

Ireland
outlined the TreeCity
program and noted that the application process requires a declaration of the
Fourth Friday in April as Arbor Day.He
recommended that the Commission recommend to the Council that such a declaration
be made.

Motion by Dauer seconded by Rothhaar that the Commission
recommend to the City Council that the Fourth Friday in April be declared as
Arbor Day.Motion carried by a vote of
7-0.

Accept Gift of Property for Cemetery

The Dow Foundation has generously donated a 64’ x 111’
parcel which is adjacent to the existing cemetery.The property will allow staff to actively
pursue the option of adding a mausoleum to the existing cemetery.A mausoleum would create additional interment
space in the cemetery and would provide an option which has been gaining
popularity.

Ireland
presented a proposed plat for the new property and asked the Commission to
recommend to the City Council that the property be accepted and the plat be
accepted.

Rothhaar asked if the road shown on the plat map was an
existing road and how close the cemetery currently is to reaching its
capacity.Ireland
confirmed that the road is in existence and offered to provide information
concerning the cemetery’s capacity at a future meeting.

Peck mentioned that the cemetery has not been discussed by
the Commission in a couple of years and that the idea of adding mausoleum was
tabled at that time.

Motion by Lengerman seconded by Zimmer-Janeczko to recommend
to the City Council that the deed offered by the Dow Foundation be accepted and
that the plat for the property proposed by staff be approved.Motion carried by a vote of 8-0.

Preparation for Joint Meeting with City Council

The Commission received a document outlining the Recreation
fee philosophy which will serve as talking points for the joint meeting with
Council on January 10.

Peck described the general process involved and the purpose
for the meeting.

Lengerman suggested that Peck go through each of the five
areas and review for the Commission the staff recommendations.

The Commission discussed the section on Swimming with
concern focused on the comment that a “single pool appears to be adequately
meeting both the competitive and recreational needs”.

Rothhaar questioned meeting
competitive needs since current pool is not suited for swim meets as the depth
is insufficient for diving in to start a race.Perhaps recommendation should read that practice needs are adequately
met at this time with planned improvements to include increasing the depth at
one end for purpose of holding competitive meets.

Berthiaume questioned that
increasing depth at one end still would not allow for state meets to be held at
Plymouth.

Robert questioned whether the City
has a responsibility to meet competitive needs in addition to recreational
needs.

Rothhaar asked if staff could
provide cost estimates for increasing the depth at both ends of the pool.

Donovan asked for information on how
many meets may potentially be brought in if the pool was of adequate depth for
competition.Asked if
Midland Dolphins might provide information on this.

Lengerman expressed concern that
improving the pool to meet competitive needs might result in elimination of
time for recreational swimmers.Comment
also added regarding educational use of pool for swim lessons.

Peck suggested that the Commission
bring up this discussion with City Council to see if there is interest in
potentially expanding the pool improvement project to include increasing the
depth at both ends of the pool.

Lengerman stated that with so much public comment on the
condition and number of restrooms in the parks that perhaps there should be
some mention about adding more restrooms and updating current restrooms under
the General Recreation section.

Old Business

Ireland
reminded the Commission that they had postponed discussion of the current Civic
Arena and had asked staff to record further input on use and funding.Staff is continuing its research on legal
uses and the effects of the permafrost and asks that any decision be delayed
until more information is available.

The Committee discussed this issue including the following
comments:

Donovan inquired about scheduling a
public hearing on what the City will put on the property if the current
structure is taken down.

Lengerman suggested that since the
building is relatively young, perhaps the Commission should approach City
Council to see about a subsidy to convert the building to another use.

Donovan asked whether the
Commission should approach the Foundations to confirm their previous commitment
for a spray park in Central Park if the current arena is
torn down.

Donovan asked if staff had received any feedback from the high
schools concerning young persons interested in the youth representative
position on the Commission.Peck
addressed some high school students in the audience and explained to them the
desire for a youth representative.

Lengerman asked for an update from staff on the Community
Center’s commitment to help with playground equipment.In particular she asked about where such
equipment would be placed.Peck
suggested Central Park and Lengerman supported the need,
referencing band concerts and the number of children present.

New Business

Berthiaume encouraged commissioners to stay for the City
Council meeting on January 10 as the Council is going to discuss Plymouth
Pool.Peck suggested that this may be a good
time to initiate discussion with the Council about the pool.Berthiaume said that local swim teams are
planning on attending the meeting as well.